Machine for excavating earth in trenches



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

(J..4A. PERRY.

' v MACHINE FOR BXGAVATING EARTH IN TRENGHES. o. 253.995.

Patented Feb. 21. 1882.

||||||au g No Model.)

3 Sheets Sheet 2.

O. A. FERRY.

MAGHINE FOR EXGAV'ATING EARTH IN TRENOHES.

Patented Feb. 21,1882.

ms. Pholu-Lilhugnlpher, Washington, D. c.

UNrrE STAT S.

PATENT: Crime. 7

CHARLESA. FERRY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

MACHINE FO R E XCAVATING EARTH IN TRENCHES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,995, dated February 21, 1882. Application filed February 12,1881. (No model.)

To all whom "at may concern Be it known that I, OHARLEs A. FERRY, of New Haven, county of New Haven, Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Machine for Excavating Earth in Trenches, of which the following is a specification and clear description of the same.

This invention consists in certain improvements in machines for excavating earth, which will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan, of my improved machine. Figs.3 to 10,inclusive, are enlarged detail views of parts of the machine, as hereinafterdescribed. Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the pile-drivers and the pile-driver frames. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the bolt for securing parts of the framing together, with capability of adjustment, as hereinafter described.

C represents the platform or frame-work, of timber, of any suitable size, which is supported on casters h.

D D represent two pile-drivers, which are placed one on each side of the truck, so that both rows of sheetingcan be driven at the same time. Y Each driver has three base-timbers, 1 1, and 2. The base-timbers 2 slide upon the crossbeam 3 of the main platform 0, and are framed and bolted to the two base-timbers 1 1. The two base-timbers 1 1 in the preferred construc tion, as shown in the drawings, gradually converge toward each other until their rear ends meet. These ends are bolted together at, and and are then pivotally secured to, the crosssill 4 of the main platform by the pivot-bolt G. The two base-timbers l 1 are also framed and bolted to the two drivers D. The drivers D are joined at the top by the block 5, which also serves as a supportfor the pulley. (Not shown.) These five timbers form the essential parts of each of the two driver-frames. The timbers A and B serve as braces to stiffen the other parts. So far the drivers are independent, and are each free to move sidewise by the base 2, sliding on the main platform and revolving around the point G. The two drivers are yoked together by means of two planks, F and 11*, which and the base 1 are secured to the '50 crossbars E by the bolts E. Each of these planks has a slot, 8, through which the bolts E pass, so that when the bolts E are loosened 1 the two drivers are free to move laterally independently of each other. The bolt E is shown separately in Fig. 12. 6 is a set-nut,

and 7 is a movable nut and washer. The upper part, 8, of the bolt is passed through the cross-bar E and the set-nut 6 is then screwed up to the cross-bar E The yoke F is then put on, and the nut and washer 7 are screwed up firmly against the under side of the yoke, so as to hold it firmly from slipping, the part of the bolt 8 being, however, free to turn in the cross-bar E when desired. The hammer is made very narrow, in order that the guides may support the planks F and preventthem binding from the force of the blow, and thus cause the whole effect of the blow to be given through the center of the planks. When the nuts E are loosened each driver is free to turn around the bolts at- G, or near the center ofthe' frame.

The excavator and elevator consist of two endless chains, H H, carrying between them the buckets I and running over the wheels K L M N, the whole being supported by the frame 0, which turns on the trunnions J, and thereby imparts a lateral motion to the lower ends of the guides g and to the wheel K. The frame 0 being supported on the trunnions J, it is thereby capable of a rotary motion thereon, which will impart to the guides g and the wheel K the lateral motion above referred to. The object of this is that in case the platform should not stand level the guides 9 would be able to take a perpendicular position without kept in place by means of a counter -weight 5 attached to the rope r, which passes over the pulley r. By this arrangement three motions are obtained for the wheel K, viz: first, a lateral motion, by reason of the frame O'turning on the trunnions J 5 second, alongitudinal mofoo tion, by reason of the frame f revolving on the shaft of the wheel L; and, third, a vertical motion, by reason of the guides g sliding through the framesfand the frame P sliding in the frame 0.

The frame f (shown in perspective at Fig. 5) is a rectangular cast-iron frame having a hole, a,through which the shaftof the driving-wheel L p'asses, (see Figs. 3 and 4,) and rectangular openings 9 g,Fig.5,through which the guides g slide. This frame holds the upper ends of the guides in position, their lower ends being held in a similar frame, in which the wheel K turns in a similar manner to that of wheel L.

The carrier consists of two endless wire ropes, R, which pass over the wheels S T and support between them, by means of wire hooks H H, (see Fig. 10,) an endless canvas trough, U, Figs. 2, 7, S. The loop of thehook is made a little larger than the rope, in order that it may be free to slide along it. The wheels S and T are grooved, so as to hold the ropes, and the teeth T and the depressions between the teeth are intended to allow of the passage of the hooks over the wheels without beingcut.

Fig. 10 shows the connection between the canvas carrier on one side only. 1% is the endless rope. H H represent the hook. U is the endless canvas trough, and L is a small cord sewed in the edge of the trough. That part of the hook at H is bent in the form of a circle a little larger than the diameter of the rope, so that it is free to slide along it, as before stated. The carrier is of canvas folded together. The end H of the hook is bent around the edge of the trough within which the cord L is sewed.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of part of one of the wheels, S or T, a vertical section thereof being incidentally shownin Fig. 10. W is the main part of the rim. T is a tooth or cog for holding the rope. S is a shoulder, which raises the rope from the main part W of the rim, so that when the machine is in motion, if one of the hooks should strike one of the teeth T, said hook will slide backward or forward on the rope, depending on which side of the tooth it hits, and fall between the shoulders S. By this means the frictional contact of said hook with the rim of the wheel and the rope will be avoided, and the danger of either the rope or the hook being cut by reason of their rubbing against the wheel, which they would do were such shoulders or their equivalents absent, is avoided.

The buckets I are formed from a single piece of sheet metal, the corners being cut out and the sides bent up and riveted together. The scraping-edge i is preferably formed out of a separate piece of steel, so as to be easily renewed when worn without necessitating the furnishing of an entirely new bucket.

1) represents a strengthening-rib on the bucket, which operates as a stay to prevent its buckling.

rope r.

0 are pivots by which the buckets are connected to the chain.

tare prongs or teeth, which are only used when working grade soil. They may be dispensed with when working sandy soil. They may be arranged at any desired distance apart.

d represents wheels, which act to support the endless chain H and prevent its sagging. As many of such wheels maybe employed as is found desirable.

c is a brace, Fig. 8, which extends across from one edge of the canvas to the other edge thereof, to keep the trough U from buckling orfoldingtogether. It may be fastened either directly to the edges of the canvas or to the ropes R.

In the operation of the machine the wheel K is drawn down into the trench and the buckets are pressed against the bank. The wheel M is at the same time drawn forward by the endless chains H, which are kept taut by means of the counterweight attached to the Thebuckets are filled as they pass under the wheel K. They are then drawn up by the drivingwheel L, and pass back horizontally to and over the wheel M, where the earth is dumped into the endless canvas trough U. They then travel forward to and pass over the wheel N, and from thence down to the wheel K, to be again filled. The endless ropes R and trough U travel over the wheels S and T, and the earth is finally dumped.

The excavator and elevator and the carrier may be operated by means of belts passing from a pulley or pulleys connected with a steam'engine or other suitable motive power to other pulleys on the shafts of the wheels L and S.

7c are toothed wheels to aid in keeping the canvas taut and assist its movement forward.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein isl. The combination, with the mainframe C, of the drivers D, bolts E, slotted planks F, and bolts G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the wheels K L M N, endless chain H, wheel (I, buckets I, and the frame 0, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the frame 0, trunnions J, guides g, and frames f, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The buckets I, having a separable scraping-edge, i, pivots c, strengthening-rib b, and prongs i, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination of the carrier It, consisting of two endless wire ropes, the wheels S and T, wire hooks H H, and endless trough U, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The wheels S and T, having teeth T and shoulders S, as and for the purpose de- I In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 10 scribed. presence of two witnesses. 7. The combination of the buckets I, chain H, wheels K and M, drive-wheel L, wheel N, CHARLES A. FERRY. 5 and endless coucaved trough U, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. I Witnesses: 8. The brace Q, in combination with the ELE MIX,

. canvas trough U, substantially as and for the HORACE M. SANFORD.

purpose described. 

